San Marcos celebrates academic success

The San Marcos Unified School District is celebrating another year of significant gains in state test scores.

Superintendent Kevin Holt said such advances in academic achievement are occurring “in spite of it all,” noting challenges such as severe state budget cuts.

Assistant Superintendent Gina Bishop gave a performance indicators presentation to the school board Tuesday night.

San Marcos Unified showed progress in its California Standards Test results and its API scores. The CST assesses students in math and language arts. The Academic Performance Index is a measure of academic performance and progress for California schools. Scores range from 200 to 1,000, with 800 as the target.

San Marcos Unified’s API score was 865 — an 11-point gain for the second straight year. The district’s API has risen significantly and steadily since 2006, when the district ranking was 776.

Bishop put San Marcos’ score in context with the rest of the county. Out of 12 unified school districts, four have an API over 850: San Marcos, Poway, Carlsbad and Coronado.

Achievement also is measured for each school and by subgroups, such as white, Latino, Asian, black, English learners, disabled and economically disadvantaged.

Teachers continually monitor students and interim assessments under a mindset of “know the name, know the need.”

The results were again highlighted Wednesday night during “Making the Grade: The Mayor’s Bi-Annual Forum on Educational Accomplishments in San Marcos.”

Joining Holt at the public forum were Mayor Jim Desmond, Palomar College President Robert Deegan and Cal State San Marcos President Karen Haynes.

City and academic leaders have dubbed San Marcos the “educational hub of North County,” and Desmond said that the city plays an important part in providing an environment that is conducive to learning and that fosters new businesses and job opportunities.

Desmond touted related projects, such as the 194-acre University District near Cal State. The smart-growth project will have student housing, and retail, office and restaurant space. The Palomar Station project near Palomar College will provide similar housing and services.

The city’s traffic improvement efforts, youth opportunities and parks also contribute to a good learning environment, Desmond said.

Holt praised San Marcos residents for showing their commitment to schools by passing a school bond last year. He also noted the many partnerships between the district and city, colleges, foundations and businesses.

Deegan said Palomar College is serving more than 33,000 students this year, despite severe cuts in state funding and a fee increase for students. He said the college is making a “good faith” effort to meet demand, and plans to add 100 high-demand courses in spring.

“We don’t close our door until every seat in every class is taken,” Deegan said. “We’re doing our best with the resources we have.”

A $694 million bond passed in 2006 is helping to replace worn buildings on the 65-year-old campus.

Haynes said enrollment at 21-year-old Cal State San Marcos peaked at 10,169 this fall.

Haynes noted that 85 percent of alumni stay in the region, filling jobs in teaching, nursing and accounting in the community.

Budget cuts have been a challenge, with funding for the campus now below 1998-99 levels while serving more students, she said.

But growth continues at every level of the university — in sports, academic programs and infrastructure.